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FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Arts Council has been awarded $681,900 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in the federal agency's latest round of state partnership agreement grants.

State partnership agreement funding is awarded annually to state-level arts agencies nationwide. The arts council is the only agency in Kentucky designated to receive state partnership funding from the NEA. This year, 50 states and six territories will receive awards from the NEA totaling $47 million.

Funding awarded in fiscal year 2013 will be applied to the arts council's 2014 fiscal year budget.

"NEA grant dollars allow us to support nonprofit arts organizations, provide arts education opportunities for Kentucky children, and stimulate the economy through arts marketing programs for visual, performing, architectural and teaching artists," said Lori Meadows, arts council executive director. "This award also helps us meet our mission to create opportunities for Kentuckians to participate in the arts in their own communities."

The majority of the award consists of undesignated funds that can be used to carry out the arts council's strategic plan priorities. Partnership awards also comprise funding designated for specific purposes. The following allocations, about 24 percent of the award, are predetermined:

$17,500 for Poetry Out Loud

$41,700 for arts in education

$85,100 for underserved communities

$19,400 for folk and traditional arts

"On behalf of the state arts agency, I thank the NEA for its continued support of the arts in the Commonwealth," said Meadows.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at arts.gov.